Luck Be a Lady

by Anna King

  Walking over to the window, Richard made a pretence of looking out on to the street below, and with a malicious tone in his voice he answered gleefully, ‘As a matter of fact, that’s exactly why I’ve come around. But don’t distress yourself, Maude, you don’t have to participate if you don’t want to,’ knowing full well that his sister would never be able to lie up here while there was a party going on down below her room.

  ‘Now you see here, Richard, I forbid you to—’

  As if she hadn’t spoken, Richard, his hands clasped tightly behind his back, turned to face her. Rocking back on his heels, he carried on, ‘As for the nurse… Well, I’m afraid you’re going to have to wait a long time for her, she’s just informed me she’s leaving today. It seems our dear Rebecca no longer has need of her services.’

  He had the pleasure of seeing Maude’s face drop in abject disappointment, then, recovering her aplomb, she screeched, ‘Never mind about Rebecca. What about me? I still have need of a nurse. Rebecca can’t look after me the state she’s in, and Amy’s hardly here these days. As for Phil… Pah,’ she spat out contemptuously. ‘He’s neither use nor ornament, and even if he was, it wouldn’t be fitting for a man to attend to my needs.’ Glaring at her brother through slitted eyes, she said resentfully, ‘If you weren’t so tight-fisted, you’d have a nurse in attendance regularly. You don’t know what I’ve had to put up with all these years since that young slut arrived. She’s barely civil these days. Oh, she does the essentials, but it’s not the same as having a proper nurse looking after me.’ Leaning forwards in the vast bed, she wagged a finger at Richard. ‘Now look here, Richard. You get back downstairs and tell that nurse that she’s stopping on and…’

  Richard laughed unpleasantly. ‘I’m not doing any such thing. In case you’ve forgotten, Maude, I’m not paying for her services, as you’ve so forcefully pointed out, and that being the case, I have no authority to tell her anything.’ A crafty smile crossed his face. ‘Of course you could send a message to Mr Jackson and tell him that you need the nurse to stay on, but somehow I don’t think he’d be too happy to meet your request… Do you, Maude?’

  Maude slumped back on her pillows, knowing she was defeated. Quickly taking advantage of her temporary dumb state, Richard seized his opportunity to escape, but he couldn’t resist a parting shot.

  ‘My guests will be arriving at eight. I estimate there’ll be around twenty people present. As you don’t want to join in the Christmas festivities, I suggest you ask the nurse for a sleeping tablet before she leaves. That way you won’t be disturbed. Good day, Maude… Oh, and if I don’t see you later… Merry Christmas.’

  Feeling very pleased with himself, Richard banged the door after him, but his victory was short-lived.

  ‘Well! What are you doing here at this time in the morning, Dick?’ Rebecca barred his way, her face crumpled with distaste.

  Normally Richard would have been cowed under such open hostility, but having been made to look a fool in front of the nurse, his back was up. With a forcefulness that stemmed from sheer vindictiveness, he shot back loudly, ‘I came to tell you that the party is going ahead. I’m aware you have no intention of helping, so I’ve arranged to have caterers in. They’ll be arriving at five, so I’d appreciate it if the kitchen was left free so as they can do their work.’ Brushing past Rebecca, Richard swivelled his head to glare at her. Jerking his thumb towards Maude’s bedroom he snapped, ‘I’ll tell you what I’ve just told Maude. The party’s going ahead whether you like it or not. I don’t have to remind you that this is still my house, and I don’t need permission from you to use it as I see fit. Now, if you want to stay in your room all night, so be it, it’s no skin off my nose. I’d like you to attend, seeing as you’re family. But like I say, it’s entirely up to you.’

  When Rebecca continued to stare at him with hate-filled eyes, Richard gulped nervously, then, with as much dignity as he could muster, he made his exit.

  *

  Out in the street he bit down on his lip anxiously. What if Maude and Rebecca made good their threat and boycotted the party? If they did, it would ruin his carefully laid plans. He had been looking forward to making his announcement ever since he had first thought of the idea. Every waking moment he had visualised the look of astonishment on Maude and Rebecca’s faces when he told them he was getting married, and there would no longer be any place for them in the house.

  Even Ivy had fallen in with his plans, which was strange since she had been dead against it when he’d first suggested selling her house in Barking and moving, albeit temporarily, into his former home. But ten days ago, she had suddenly changed her mind, indeed she was now positively anxious to make the move. Richard’s eyebrows drew together, his suspicious mind wondering what had happened to account for Ivy’s change of heart, then he shrugged. Ivy was an astute business woman. She was probably planning to sell her house for a tidy sum and keep a lump of the profits for herself. Even so, there would still be a decent amount left over. Everything had been going so smoothly until Rebecca had fallen ill.

  His face set in mulish lines of determination, Richard drew back his shoulders, jutted his fat neck forward and climbed into the waiting cab. This party was costing him a small fortune, and despite Rebecca and Maude’s protests, he couldn’t see either of them sitting in their rooms all evening without making an appearance. He was confident that he could count on Amy’s help in coaxing them from their rooms. Feeling enormously pleased with himself, Richard ordered the cabbie to drive him to his place of business.

  *

  Ten minutes after Richard had departed, Dr Barker showed up, his face falling into deep creases of surprise and disapproval when Rebecca opened the door.

  Entering the house, he laid down his Gladstone bag, removed his high hat and stared at Rebecca reproachfully.

  ‘Now then, young miss, I thought we’d agreed you were to stay in bed for at least another day.’

  Rebecca smiled weakly. ‘Don’t scold me, doctor, please. I was going mad lying in bed, and I feel much better, honestly.’ Feeling nervous, but knowing the best way to impart unwelcome news was to come straight out with it, she murmured hesitantly. ‘You’d better know now, I’ve discharged the nurse.’ Seeing Tom Barker’s eyebrows rise in worried consternation, she hurried on. ‘Now look, I’m not being silly. I really don’t need a nurse any longer. Amy will be at home all over Christmas, so I won’t be on my own, and besides…’ She lowered her gaze, nervously pulling at her fingers. ‘You know I’m very grateful to Jimmy for paying for my care, but I’ve never been comfortable in accepting charity, no matter how well meaning it is, and I also know private nursing doesn’t come cheap. It was all right when I was really ill, but now I’m up and about, I simply can’t in all conscience go on accepting Jimmy’s money.’ A trembling smile touched her lips. ‘Besides, Maude was getting more benefit from the nurse than I was, so I’ve told Nurse Hook she can go today. She was only too pleased to get her marching orders. Maude has had her run off her feet, poor woman… The nurse, I mean, not Maude.’

  At the mention of her name, Gladys Hook appeared. ‘Good morning, Dr Barker. I’ve been waiting for you to arrive. I didn’t want to leave before your visit.’

  Taking off his heavy overcoat, Tom Barker fixed the nurse with a steely glance. ‘Don’t be in too much of a hurry to leave, nurse. I’ve been up most of the night delivering a child who was reluctant to enter the world and I could do with some hot food and drink. Would you fix me something while I have a word with this stubborn young woman?’

  Nurse Hook bridled at the tone in the doctor’s voice.

  ‘Actually, doctor, I had no intention of leaving until Miss Amy arrived home. Miss Rebecca may think she’s fully recovered, but she’ll soon have a relapse if she’s left alone to cope with her cousin. The dratted woman has nearly incapacitated me, and I’m as strong as a horse. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’ll fix some breakfast for you both.’ Raising her eyes heavenward she added, ‘And for Maude
, of course. We don’t want the poor dear wasting away.’

  Rebecca looked at Tom Barker, a soft laugh bubbling on her lips. ‘No, nurse, that would never do.’

  When Gladys had left the room, Tom said dryly, ‘Well, are you going to invite me to sit down, or do you intend to keep me standing during my visit?’

  Instantly contrite, Rebecca cried, ‘Oh, I’m sorry, doctor, please have a seat.’ Leading him over to the two armchairs drawn up by the fire, they sat down facing each other.

  Tom Barker studied the pallid face of the woman sitting opposite him and sighed. He was a good judge of character and knew it would be fruitless to try and persuade Rebecca to change her mind about discharging the nurse. Along with his concern for his patient – a woman he had grown very fond of and admired immensely – he was loath to sever all ties with her and that delightful sister of hers. It was a great pity that things hadn’t worked out between Rebecca and Jimmy, for in his view this young woman would be the making of his dear friend. Jimmy hadn’t said anything to him regarding Rebecca, but Tom had known Jimmy for many years and could read him like an open book. What he didn’t know was how Rebecca felt about Jimmy. She wasn’t the type of woman to tell her business to all and sundry and he admired her all the more for that. In his line of work the majority of his patients saw him as a doctor and priest combined. Being of a kindly and sympathetic nature, Tom Barker was normally only too happy to help his patients with their problems, knowing that a good deal of illnesses stemmed from worry. It was therefore very galling that the one person he would like to confide in him happened to be a very independent, proud woman who would rather walk barefoot on hot coals than burden someone with her own problems. Now if it had been Maude…!

  He wasn’t aware he had sighed heavily until Rebecca asked anxiously, ‘Are you all right, doctor?’

  Tom smiled reassuringly. ‘Yes, my dear, I’m fine… Here, here, what am I thinking of? I’m the doctor and you’re still my patient, at least for the rest of the day. Now then, let’s have a look at you.’ So saying, he took hold of Rebecca’s wrist then listened to her chest. ‘Hmm. Well now, your pulse is still a bit high, but that’s only to be expected after a bout of influenza. The main thing is your chest sounds clear. What you need now is plenty of rest, though I don’t suppose you’ll get much of that once the nurse has gone… I don’t suppose you’ll reconsider. Jimmy won’t mind. The man’s a walking goldmine and…’

  Rebecca lifted her chin high, her cheeks reddening. ‘Jimmy may be very well off, in fact he could be a millionaire; it wouldn’t make any difference. Any money he has he’s worked hard for. Even if I don’t approve of his line of work, the fact remains it’s his money, and I’ve no right to expect any of his hard-earned money to be spent on me. No, doctor, the nurse is going. Like I’ve already told you, Amy will be here to look after me. She’ll make me rest, don’t you worry. She may appear to be scatterbrained, but beneath that childish demeanour there lurks a very strong character.’

  Tom Barker bent his head to hide his amusement as he recalled Jimmy’s account of the way Amy had practically attacked him the day he had tried to see Rebecca. Throwing his hands up in defeat he chuckled, ‘All right, my dear, you’ve made your point, so what say we change the subject… Ahh, here comes our breakfast,’ he added as Nurse Hook approached them carrying a heavily laden tray, from which rose a heavenly aroma of cooked food.

  Smacking his lips, Tom rose and held his hand out to Rebecca. ‘Shall we sit at the table, or maybe you’d rather take your breakfast with your cousin.’

  Rebecca hurriedly got to her feet. ‘Good God, no!’ she exclaimed quickly, then saw the twinkle in the doctor’s eyes and laughed. ‘You’re a very wicked man, Dr Barker. Maybe I’ll call you out to attend my cousin. You can’t refuse. After all, you are a doctor and as such you’re bound to tend the sick and needy.’

  Now it was Tom’s turn to protest hurriedly. ‘Pshaw. I don’t have any such scruples. I may be a doctor, but I’m no saint. And as you’ve just pointed out my job is to attend the sick and needy, and at the risk of offending you, my dear, I don’t believe your cousin is as helpless as she makes out.’

  The laughter dropped from Rebecca’s lips as she remembered the scene she had witnessed in the early hours of the morning. For a split second she considered sharing her secret with the doctor, then pushed aside the impulse. She had her own plan of how to deal with Maude.

  Linking arms with the smiling man, she patted his hand. ‘What say we forget about Maude and enjoy our meal.’

  No sooner had the words left her lips when Maude’s voice shrilled from above, causing all three people present to screw up their eyes with ill-disguised annoyance.

  Setting the hot meal on the dining table, Nurse Hook, her lips tight with barely suppressed impatience, muttered, ‘If you’ll excuse me, I believe I’m being summoned,’ and as she went to answer Maude’s loud cries, Gladys thanked the good Lord that this would be the last time she would be called on to lay eyes on the loathsome creature.

  ‘I expect you’ll be having time off over the holidays, doctor.’

  Tom Barker, his mouth full of crispy bacon, chewed quickly before answering, ‘I sincerely hope so. But one never knows in my profession. People don’t stop being ill just because it’s Christmas. On the contrary, it’s this time of year that most people become ill. Normally brought on by worry and hard work, or simply despair at being on their own at a time when most people have their families around them. Oh, yes, Christmas can be a very sad time for a lot of people.’

  Rebecca thought quickly. She had no doubt that Jimmy would invite the doctor to spend Christmas with him and Bessie, but what if…?

  Carefully choosing her words, she asked tentatively, ‘If you’re not doing anything tonight, Richard is having a party here. I’ve told him I’m not prepared to help in the preparations, but he’s going along with it anyway. He’s even hired caterers to organise the event. You… you’d be more than welcome to come. In fact, I’d really like you to. I doubt if I’ll know any of Richard’s friends… Actually I didn’t know he had any, but I expect his guests will be made up of business associates. So it would be nice for me, and Amy of course, if we had someone here we knew.’

  Keeping his eyes on his plate, Tom replied slowly, ‘Well now, that’s very kind of you. I’d love to come… On one condition.’ He waved a fork in the air. ‘On no account must you tell anyone I’m a doctor, else I’ll have every Tom, Dick and Harry queuing up to show me their boils and bunions or whatever else ails them.’

  Rebecca let out a tinkling laugh that warmed the man’s heart. ‘I promise, doctor… Oops! I’d better not call you that this evening. I know, I’ll call you Mr Barker, how about that?’

  Studiously keeping his attention fixed firmly on his plate, Tom said casually, ‘Thank you, my dear. I wonder if I might take the liberty of bringing a friend along with me. Would that be all right with you?’

  Now it was Rebecca’s turn to lower her gaze. She felt the colour rise in her cheeks and inwardly cursed herself for a gormless fool. It was painfully obvious that the friend Dr Barker was referring to was Jimmy; even the sound of his name in her mind caused her heart to thump wildly. She had only been in the man’s company for a few days, yet in that short space of time she had fallen in love. Her mind mocked her silently as she recalled her scathing remarks about the love stories Amy was so fond of reading, and yet here she was, she who had been so superior, acting just like one of those insipid heroines in the cheap novels.

  Swallowing her pride she started to speak, and was mortified to hear the tremor in her voice. ‘Of course, doctor, you…!’ Tears welled in her eyes and with a muffled cry, Rebecca ran from the table and buried herself in the shabby armchair by the fire.

  Moments later she felt a strong hand on her shoulder and looked up into pale blue eyes – eyes that were filled with kindly concern.

  ‘Don’t be embarrassed, my dear. The influenza has left you very vulnerable despit
e your feeling of well-being. There’s no shame in crying… Or of being in love.’

  Shaking uncontrollably, Rebecca grasped the hand tightly.

  ‘I feel so stupid. I mean… Well, I hardly know Jimmy, yet… yet from the first moment I saw him, even though we didn’t get off… off to a good start, I… I haven’t been able to stop thin… thinking about him. I… I thought there might be a cha… chance for me, but then that woman turned up, and… and now I know there’s no hope.’

  Tom Barker pulled the armchair up closer to the distressed woman. ‘Now listen to me, my dear. I’ve known Jimmy for many years, and I know too that he feels the same way. As for this Heather Mills person, you needn’t worry. Jimmy has no feelings for her whatsoever. His only concern is for his son, and that, and that only, is the only reason he’ll be having any contact with that blasted, trouble-making woman.’

  Rebecca lifted reddened eyes to his. ‘But, it’s so… so silly. You can’t fall in love with someone you hardly know… Can you?’

  The doctor smiled gently. ‘Speaking from personal experience, I would say yes. I fell in love with my late wife the moment I clapped eyes on her. Unfortunately she didn’t feel the same, and I had to chase her for nearly a year before she would even agree to go out with me. But we had over twenty glorious years together, and even though she’s been gone for some time, I still miss her dreadfully. So you hang on to your dreams, Rebecca. This business with Jimmy’s former lover will soon blow over, and when it does you make sure you’re there for him, because he needs you, my dear. He might not realise it, but he does need you. He’s also smitten with you. Every conversation we have always turns to you, and believe me, Jimmy’s not the type of man to give his affections lightly.’

  A sudden burst of hope surged through Rebecca’s quivering body. ‘Do you really mean it, doctor? I… I mean, you’re not just saying it to make me feel b… better.’